November Maintenance Specials at Richardson’s Auto Care

Published on November 1, 2011 in Customer Messages and Scheduled Maintenance. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , , .

We’ve all made it through the Texas summer, and the temperature is finally dropping. But to make sure we’re not left stranded with a car that doesn’t want to start on a cold morning, it’s time be sure we’ve kept up with our scheduled maintenance and that our battery is strong and ready for winter.

Following your car’s factory maintenance schedule is the easiest way to keep your car running strong and save money on repairs in the long run. Changing fluids and repairing minor issues is always easier than making large repairs after things get worse. To make it even easier on you this month, we’re including a Free Fuel Injection Cleaning Service ($109.95 Value) with every 30, 60, or 90 thousand mile scheduled maintenance package.

To make sure your battery is still strong, and you won’t be left in the cold this winter, schedule to come in and have a Battery and Charging System Service for $19.95. We’ll test your battery and charging system, clean and inspect all cables and terminals, and ensure that everything is up to snuff to keep you running all winter.

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How to make your car last forever. Tips from AAA.com.

Published on February 15, 2011 in Car Care Tips and Scheduled Maintenance. 1 Comment Tags: , , , , , , , , .

Follow these tips to add years of trouble-free mileage.
By Peter Bohr

Well, maybe not forever. Even if you could, who would want to? Slipping behind the wheel of a new car is one of life’s joys. But think of the joy of being car-payment free. Waiting a little longer to buy or trade in once you’ve paid off your car loan could save you thousands of dollars.

And the secrets to a car’s long life?  First and foremost, change the oil regularly. And follow the other maintenance instructions in your owner’s manual.

Here are some other, less-obvious tips.

Drive smart.
Jackrabbit starts stress the engine, transmission, and differential. Riding the brake pedal, or consistently stopping at the last instant, damages the brakes. Shifting from “Reverse” to a forward gear while the car is still moving backward can harm the transmission. And hitting potholes causes suspension and tire damage and ruins wheel alignment.

Use it or lose it.
Every so often, switch on the air conditioner in the winter and the heater in the summer for a few minutes. This keeps seals lubricated and other moving parts functioning smoothly. Engage your SUV’s four-wheel drive occasionally if you rarely use anything but two-wheel drive.

Go gently into that good night—or morning.
Engine wear is great just after starting, before the oil pump circulates oil through the engine. But you don’t need to waste time and gasoline by idling in the driveway. Just go easy on the throttle for a few minutes until the engine is warm.

Go synthetic.
Synthetic oils are superior lubricants. They’re more costly than petroleum-based oils, but they can extend engine life. Synthetic oils reduce wear over the long haul, but they can’t undo wear. So it’s best to start using synthetic oil when the engine is still young.

Heed warnings.
Scan the instrument panel at regular intervals so that you catch an illuminated warning lights or a gauge with an unusual reading. Your owner’s manual explains what the lights and gauges mean. An illuminated check-engine light might not require immediate action, but an illuminated oil-pressure light definitely does.

Heed warnings, part two.
Glance under your car from time to time. Fluids should remain inside the car, not on the ground beneath it. Note the color of any drips and report them to your mechanic. And report any weird squeaks and clunks in a timely manner, too.

Bond with your mechanic.
A skilled mechanic can extend your car’s life span. The AAA-Approved Auto Repair program can help you find a trustworthy one.

Keep up appearance.
You’ll want to keep your car longer if it looks good. Besides regular washing and waxing—or, even better, professional detailing, fix the inevitable dings and chipped glass before your car starts looking like a heap. Small dings can be fixed inexpensively with painless dent-removal techniques.

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Happy New Year 2011 from Richardson’s Auto Care

Published on January 1, 2011 in Car Care Tips, Customer Messages and Scheduled Maintenance. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , .

I hope every one of you had a great 2010, like we did here at Richardson’s Auto Care. Every one of our customers helped us to have a great year, and to grow as one of the best Auto Repair Shops in Dallas, TX.

Looking back on 2010, our business has grown, and our rave reviews keep rolling in. Thanks again to each of you for that. We have also added some new services that you may or may not be familiar with. The biggest was our addition of online service records. By visiting our MyCar online service records at RichardsonAutoCare.MechanicNet.com, you can now create a login and view all of your car’s history with us. The website will allow you to view all of your prior invoices, as well as track your vehicle’s mileage and any upcoming scheduled maintenance.

We have grown in other ways in the online venue, including this blog you’re currently reading. Also, our web site is completely new, and we have pages on multiple review sites where you can share your experiences. Our Facebook page allows you to keep in touch with us, as well as receive special Facebook-only promotions and coupons that we send out occasionally.

However, 2010 is over, and it’s time to look forward to 2011. Nobody wants to get any bad surprises in the New Year, so to help keep your car trouble free, swing on in for a Free 40-Point Vehicle Inspection. We’ll look the whole car over from front to rear, and advise you on any upcoming repairs or maintenance that may be necessary. We can create a plan for the year, so you know in advance what your automotive expenses will look like, and you can plan them into your year.

I hope everyone has a great 2011, and I look forward to seeing each of you soon.

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Merry Christmas from Richardson’s Auto Care

Published on December 20, 2010 in Christian Auto Repair and Customer Messages. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , .

No big car care tips from me this week, just wanted to wish every one of our valuable customers a Merry Christmas this week. It’s been beautiful weather here in Dallas recently, so I hope we can all have a great weekend celebrating with our families. And of course, I hope everyone can keep in mind what the real reason is for the season, the birth of Jesus Christ our Lord.

And of course, if you’re going to be hitting the road to visit family this week, feel free to stop by and let us air up your tires and check all of your fluids before you head out, to make sure everyone gets to their destination safely.

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Tire Pressure, Why is it Important?

Published on November 30, 2010 in Car Care Tips, Scheduled Maintenance and Technical Information. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , .

As the winter weather finally brings us some cold air, it’s time for our Dallas Auto Repair blog to remind you that the pressure in your tires will be falling along with the temperature, reducing your fuel economy and the life of your tires. We’ve copied the following excerpt from cartalk.com to help explain why your tire’s pressure is so important for your vehicle:

Tire pressure is a measure of the amount of air in a vehicle’s tires, in pounds per square inch. The required service involves checking the tires’ pressure with a pressure gauge, at least monthly, if not more frequently.

Should I do this service when it’s recommended?

Yes. Absolutely.

Why do I have to do this?

Having the proper tire pressure is a crucial safety issue. Next to the brakes, the tires are the most important safety devices on your car. Incorrect tire pressure will compromise cornering, braking and stability. And in the worst-case scenario, improper tire pressure can lead to tire failure — and a serious accident. Incorrect tire pressure also will affect your comfort, fuel economy and tire life.

What happens if I don’t do this?

If tire pressure is too high, then less of the tire touches the ground. As a consequence, your car will bounce around on the road. And when your tires are bouncing instead of firmly planted on the road, traction suffers and so do your stopping distances. You’ll also feel a decrease in ride comfort. (Hint: If you notice that every tie you own has coffee on it, check your tire pressure. It may be too high.)

If tire pressure is too low, then too much of the tire’s surface area touches the ground, which increases friction between the road and the tire. As a result, not only will your tires wear prematurely, but they also could overheat. Overheating can lead to tread separation — and a nasty accident. One sign of low tire pressure is if your tires squeal when cornering.

And you need to check your tire pressure even if your tires aren’t leaking. Why? Because tire pressure also changes with the temperature outside. Tire pressure decreases by about 1 pound per square inch for every 10-degree drop in outside air temperature. So if you last had your tire pressure checked in July, when it was 80 degrees outside, and it’s now January — and the temperature is minus 20 — your tires may be underinflated by 10 pounds, which is dangerous.

How do you determine the correct tire pressure for your car’s tires?

A lot of people check the pressure listed on the tires themselves, but that’s actually the wrong place to look. The number on the tire is the maximum allowable air pressure — not the recommended pressure for that tire when used on your vehicle.

The recommended tire pressure is almost always lower than the maximum tire pressure. Check your owner’s manual to find out where to look on your vehicle to find the recommended measurement. This number usually is indicated either on the driver’s door pillar, the glove compartment door or sometimes on the gas filler door.

Once you know the manufacturer’s recommended tire pressure, then you need an accurate tire gauge to check the tire pressure. Some tire gauges, such as the popular pencil-style gauge, are notoriously inaccurate. Analog, dial-type gauges or digital gauges tend to be fairly accurate.

And when should you check the tire pressure? You should check it when the tire is cold. That doesn’t mean you need to move to International Falls, Minn., to check your tire pressure. Cold, in this sense, simply means that your tires are at air temperature. You can check tire pressure any time of the day, as long as the tires have been sitting for a few hours or haven’t been driven for more than a few miles. In other words, you can drive to the gas station a few blocks away and ask them to check the pressure, but don’t expect to pull off the highway after driving for an hour and expect to get an accurate reading.

When you do check your tire pressure, remember to check all four tires. Just because three of your tires are at 30 pounds doesn’t mean that the fourth tire isn’t nearly flat. Finally, check the spare tire at least once in a while — it would be an unpleasant surprise to find it flat when you need it. If you have a small, space-saver spare, then the pressure for that tire is probably not the same pressure as your regular tires. The correct tire pressure should be printed right on this particular type of spare.

Can I Do This Myself?
It depends on where you rank on the Car Talk do-it-yourself scale:
There are two kinds of screwdrivers?
I’ve successfully hung pictures around the house.
I’ve changed my own oil.
I’ve fixed things on my car that involve removing more than five bolts.
I’ve built a working nuclear reactor out of wood.

Is there any maintenance required between intervals?

Yes. If you have no known problems with your tires, check your vehicle’s tire pressure seasonally or before you head off on a road trip. When you bring your car in for service, ask them to check the tire pressure; most garages will do this at no additional cost. Plus, they’ll usually have an accurate gauge — which will also give you an idea of whether your gauge is correct.

Car Talk Tip: Check your tire pressure even if your tires look fine. Radial tires can be deceiving (they’re sneaky little guys). They may look fine even when they’re down 10 pounds of air — or overinflated by 10 pounds. So don’t trust your eyes — use your gauge.

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Winter Auto Maintenance Tips

Published on November 15, 2010 in Car Care Tips. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , .

Winter is coming up on us quickly, and winter driving comes with it. While safety is an important consideration all year long, there are certainly some auto maintenance jobs and safety checks that are specific to chilled air and winter driving that are a good idea to check into before we’re knee deep in the season. To be sure you don’t end up a road popsicle, or even worse end up with your holiday budget on ice thanks to unexpected repairs, have a look under the hood to be sure things are ship shape. As with any change of season, you should go to your regular maintenance log to make sure you are up to date on the maintenance items that should be taken care of throughout the year. The change of seasons is a great time to go through some once-a-year or twice-a-year auto maintenance tasks.

Winter Specific Maintenance

In addition to the added perils of winter driving, the change in weather can bring peril to your car’s systems. Freezing temps, salted roads and wintery precipitation can gang up on your car if you don’t give it a quick maintenance session. These winter maintenance jobs will keep you out of trouble:

  • Check your antifreeze

    Your antifreeze (the juice that goes in your radiator) is an essential part of your car’s winter protection. Your car contains a 50/50 mix of water and antifreeze. Make sure the level is full and the mixture is close to 50/50.  Checking the coolant’s freeze protection is a part of our Free 40-Point Vehicle Inspection, so you can just swing on it to Richardson’s Auto Care, and we’ll be happy to make sure you coolant is ready to go.

  • Inspect your tires

    The last line of defense between you and an oak tree are your tires. Winter is not the time to get cheap about your tires, so take the time to check the tread depth. The National Highway Transportation Safety Board says you need at least 2/32″ of depth to be safe. It’s been my experience, especially in winter weather, that anything less than 4/32″ (1/8″) should be replaced soon. The old penny test is as reliable as anything to find out whether your treads are ready for winter action. Also, be sure to check your tire pressure.  The tires will lose pressure as the temperature drops, and this lower pressure will lead to lack of traction, as well as reduced fuel economy.

  • Replace your wipers

    Wipers? What do your windshield wipers have to do with winter weather? Two things.  First, anything falling from the sky is going to end up on your windshield, and the task of clearing it falls on your wipers.  Second, in areas that see snowfall in the winter, you’re also driving through that soupy muck that’s left on the road.  This muck includes a lot of sand and salt, both of which end up on your windshield.  It takes wipers that are in top shape to keep your windshield clean and safe.

  • Check your windshield washer fluid

    You’ll be using lots of washer fluid as you try to keep your windshield sparkly. A mile stuck behind an 18-wheeler will have your windshield looking like a Desert Humvee if you’re low on washer fluid.  Also, it’s a good time to make sure your car is full of washer fluid, not just plain water, so that the system’s not frozen solid when you try to use it.

Annual Maintenance Procedures

On top of the checks you need to perform to ensure safe winter driving, now’s a good time to do some annual maintenance. These aren’t necessarily specific to winter driving, but it’s a good point on the calendar to get around to doing this stuff.

  • Clean your battery posts

    Starting problems are a bummer any time of year. Regularly treating your battery to a cleaning can keep electrical gremlins at bay.

  • Inspect your brakes

    Brakes are not a good area to cut corners. Be sure your brakes have enough meat left to get you through the season.

  • Check Your Engine Oil

    This should go without saying and should be done at least monthly. But in case you’re an amnesiac … you should also do an oil change!

Cold weather safety should be a concern for anybody when winter comes.  These tips will give you the upper hand when Old Man Winter tries to put a chill on your winter travels.  All of the checks mentioned above are included in our Free 40-point Vehicle Inspection, so feel free to come on by Richardson’s Auto Care and have us do it all for you.

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Putting off Auto Repairs can be Penny Wise and Pound Foolish.

Published on October 31, 2010 in Car Care Tips. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , , , , , , , .

We’ve all done it. Put off a repair because we needed to use the money for something ‘more pressing.’ Especially at holiday time, between lack of cash and lack of time, many of us put off having some seemingly minor repair done on our cars. But repairs left unattended can lead to much bigger problems, and we see it all the time. What might have been a simple brake job or alignment becomes a major job or a tire replacement because the work was put off.

Sometimes, simple maintenance can help you avoid a large repair down the road. Regular oil changes can prevent or detect an oil leak that could be disastrous for your engine. Regular tire rotation every 5,000 miles can extend the life of your tires considerably. Getting brake pads inspected and replaced on a regular maintenance schedule can mean the difference between a simple fix and a really costly repair.

And winter weather can be even harder on your car. After the cold and snow we’ve seen over the holidays, we see more bent rims, damaged heat shields and alignment problems due to folks navigating icy roads and sliding into potholes. Hitting one can cause alignment, tire, axle or wheel problems. Be sure to have your car inspected after hitting a pothole hard, or if you notice a new shimmy or shudder, your car is pulling to one side or your steering wheel is off-center. And be sure to replace wiper blades worn from scraping an icy windshield. You don’t want to find yourself unable to see in the next big storm.

Don’t drive a car that could be a danger to you or others, or leave you stranded at the least opportune time. To save your self costly and time-consuming repairs in the future, have the small concerns looked at now. Richardson’s Auto Care offers a Free 40-Point Courtesy Inspection on any vehicle brought to the shop, to help find any growing problems before they get out of hand. Call now to book an appointment. You’ll save money and peace of mind.

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Car Brake Service

Published on October 29, 2010 in Car Care Tips, Scheduled Maintenance and Technical Information. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , .

To help explain the maintenance required on your car’s brake system, we’ve copied the following brake information from cartalk.com:

Brake pads, linings and rotors are parts of your car’s brake system and are housed next to each of the wheels. They push against one another to create friction, which stops the car.

There are two kinds of brake systems: disc brakes and drum brakes. Disc brakes are the most common system in use today, and they’re very much like the hand brakes on a bicycle. When you step on your car’s brake pedal, the brake pads squeeze a spinning disc rotor that’s attached to the wheel. The resulting friction, when applied to each of the wheels, slows the car.

The second type, drum brakes, involve brake shoes that push out against a spinning brake drum, which is attached to the wheel. This friction slows the car.

Both systems work by creating friction, so brake parts are expected to wear out. The questions then are, how worn out are they? And are they worn out enough that they need to be replaced?

That’s what this service is all about — checking these components for wear and other potential problems.

Should I do this service when it’s recommended?

Absolutely.

Why do I have to do this?

In short, you do this service so you don’t crash into a cabbage truck.

What happens if I don’t do this?

If you neglect your brake pads and shoes, your brakes will ultimately fail. Even before that happens, however, you can cause damage to other, more expensive brake parts, such as rotors, drums and calipers. In other words: a stitch in time … saves you from helping your mechanic with a boat payment later on.

Can I Do This Myself?
It depends on where you rank on the Car Talk do-it-yourself scale:
There are two kinds of screwdrivers?
I’ve successfully hung pictures around the house.
I’ve changed my own oil.
I’ve fixed things on my car that involve removing more than five bolts.
I’ve built a working nuclear reactor out of wood.

Is there any maintenance required between intervals?

If you notice any of the following signs and symptoms when you brake …

  • flashing brake warning light
  • squealing, chirping or grinding noises
  • pulsations in the brake pedal
  • shaky steering wheel
  • increased stopping distance
  • car pulls to one side when you stop

… your brakes may require servicing.  Make an appointment with your mechanic right away.

Car Talk Tip: Most cars have disc brakes in the front and back. A few economy vehicles and many light trucks have disc brakes in the front and drum brakes on the rear wheels.

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Tire Maintenance and Inspection Tips

Published on September 22, 2010 in Car Care Tips and Technical Information. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , .

All tires wear out eventually and, unfortunately, damage happens. Common issues result from having a nail embedded in a tire, or having over or under-inflated tires, which can cause wear spots.  There are many things to watch for with your vehicle’s tires, and it’s important to quickly determine if your tires are safe to drive on, are in need of service, or need to be replaced.

Tires should be checked for wear at least once a month and before and after long trips to ensure proper tire pressure.  Tire pressure information can be found in your vehicle’s manual, on a sticker on the inside of your driver’s side door jam or on the tire itself. To determine whether you need to buy new tires there are a few signs that you’ll want to watch for, and some helpful tips to keep your tires from unnecessary wear and tear.

Pay attention to leaks. Keep your tires clear and free of any road debris such as nails, glass, stones or other debris.  If you find any debris embedded, remove it from your tires immediately.

If you hear a hissing sound when you pull out a nail, push the nail back in quickly and take the tire to be fixed. Helpful trick: soapy water. If you aren’t sure whether air is escaping, put some soapy water on the hole and look for the bubbles made by escaping air. If you’re still not sure, keep an eye on your tire pressure. Measure it, and then check it again on the next day. If air is still leaking it’s time to ask a technician to patch your tire or replace the tire completely.

Examine the sidewalls. Watch out for deep scuffs caused as a result of hitting curbs when parking, worn areas or chunks missing from the tire, small slits or holes from road damage or irregular vibrations. Note: Vibration or unusual handling may be a sign of tire damage, so immediately reduce your speed and stop somewhere safe. Don’t create a traffic hazard by stopping where you’ll impede other vehicles.

Look at the treads. Most tires have tread-wear indicators built into them. These bars of hard rubber are normally invisible and appear across treads that have been worn down to 1/16th of an inch of the surface of the tire (the legal limit in most states). If these indicators appear in two or three different places, less than 120 degrees apart on the circumference of the tire, replace the tire. If your tires don’t show these indicators and you think that they may be worn, here’s a good trick to try without buying a tread gauge: Place a Lincoln penny head-down in the groove between the treads. If you can see the top of Lincoln’s head, your tire probably needs to be replaced.

If your front tires are more worn than your rear ones and show abnormal wear patterns, you probably need to have your wheels aligned and rotated.  You may also notice four or five spots around the tire that are built-in wear indicators. Keep an eye on these, as they will show a visible gap in the groove once the tread has worn down. Check several tread grooves to see if one part is wearing more than another.  Also watch for “cupping,” which is a series of flat spots on the tire (or bulges as well).

Maintain proper inflation in your tires. An under-inflated tire can’t maintain its shape and becomes flatter than intended while in contact with the road. Lower inflation pressures will allow more deflection as the tire rolls. This will build up more internal heat, increase rolling resistance (causing a reduction in fuel economy), and reduce the tire’s tread life by as much as 25% while increasing the probability of irregular tread wear.

An over-inflated tire is stiff and unyielding and the size of its footprint (the portion in contact with the road) is reduced. If a vehicle’s tires are over-inflated by 6 psi, they could be damaged more easily when encountering potholes or debris in the road, as well as experience irregular tread wear.

If you do find that tire repair or replacement is required, the professional technicians at Richardson’s Auto Care will be happy to assist you.

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Transmission Fluid Replacement — What is it?

Published on September 19, 2010 in Car Care Tips, Scheduled Maintenance and Technical Information. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , .

Transmission fluid is a slippery liquid that acts as a lubricant for all of the moving parts inside your transmission. In an automatic transmission, this fluid also serves as a coolant and a viscous fluid that transmits power from the engine to the transmission.

A variety of fluids are used for different transmissions. Automatic transmissions use something called — shockingly — automatic transmission fluid. Manual transmissions use a variety of oils: regular motor oil, heavyweight hypoid gear oil or even automatic transmission fluid in some cases. Your owner’s manual will tell you what your transmission calls for.

Should I do this service when it’s recommended?

Yes, definitely, regardless of whether you have a manual or an automatic transmission.

Manual: Most manufacturers recommend that manual transmission fluid be changed every 30,000 to 60,000 miles. Under heavy-duty use, some manufacturers suggest changing transmission fluid every 15,000 miles.

Automatic: Service intervals for an automatic transmission vary from every 30,000 miles … to never. The typical service interval is 60,000 to 100,000 miles. Changing it more often does no harm.

Why do I have to do this?

Manual: In a manual transmission, the problem is not so much the fluid degradation, but rather fluid contamination. This contamination occurs over time as the synchronizers, bearings and gears in the transmission wear out. The resulting metal particles then float around in the lubricant. And we all know that oil with microscopic particles of metal in it does not lubricate as well as clean oil. So if these contaminants are not drained out, they will shorten the life of your transmission.

Automatic: Because more heat is generated in an automatic transmission, automatic transmission fluid actually degrades and breaks down with use.

In addition, like in a manual transmission, automatic transmission fluid will also become contaminated with worn bits of the transmission. If these contaminants are not drained out, they will shorten the life of your transmission.

What happens if I don’t do this?

If you don’t change the transmission fluid on schedule, you’ll be lubricating your transmission with metal shavings and other contaminants. This will shorten the transmission’s life. The result could be a hefty boat payment to your mechanic. In other words, changing your transmission fluid at the correct interval is a good investment.

Is there any maintenance required between intervals?

Yes. It’s important to regularly check the transmission fluid level between service intervals. Letting your car run low on transmission fluid can cause the transmission to shift improperly — or not at all. It also can harm the internal parts of your transmission, which will not be properly lubricated. Unfortunately, you may not hear any noises or have other clues that your transmission is low on fluid, until it’s too late. So it’s important to get it checked.

Here’s how you can check your transmission fluid level:

Manual: Checking the transmission fluid in a manual transmission can be difficult. A few thoughtful manufacturers have included a dipstick, but that’s the exception rather than the rule. If you own a car with a manual transmission, we suggest that you ask your mechanic to check the fluid level when your car is up on the lift during an oil change. It takes just a minute.

Automatic: If you own a car with an automatic transmission, your car will have a dipstick for this purpose. Be careful not to make the common mistake of confusing the transmission dipstick with the crankcase dipstick.

For most cars, checking the automatic transmission fluid consists of pulling the transmission dipstick out while the engine is warmed up and running and with the transmission in park. We suggest that you check your owner’s manual, however, since some manufacturers may have a different procedure.

Of course, always check your fluid level if you notice a leak of any kind.

Car Care Tip: Unlike engine oil, transmission oil doesn’t burn up. So if you’re low on transmission fluid, you almost certainly have a leak.

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